Jersey City courtroom brims with conflicting emotions as jury acquits cousins of murder

Emotions ran high in court yesterday as the jury acquitted two cousins on all counts in the shooting death of a Jersey City man in 2008.

Chajuan Hemingway, 24, and Courtney Hemingway, 25, cheered when they were found not guilty on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and a possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

The two, alleged members of the 52 Hoover Street Gangsta Crips, were accused of entering the Montgomery Gardens housing complex just after 2 a.m. on March 30, 2008, and opening fire in the lobby, wounding one and killing Michael Williams, 25, who was shot twice in the back, once in the leg and once in the face.

The Hemingways were facing life in prison if convicted.

The jury deliberated for approximately two days before returning the not guilty verdict.

Tears were shed by friends and family members of both the cousins and the dead man as the jury foreman read the verdicts on each charge.

“I’m happy my client finally got the vindication he deserves,” said John Zunic, the attorney for Chajuan Hemingway. “I think it was the right verdict.”

Williams’ girlfriend, Patricia Jackson, became inconsolable as she left the courtroom, crying hysterically and saying “I can’t, I can’t” repeatedly.

“We know what they did and we know who they are,” said one of Williams’ family members while leaving the courtroom.

As both families were leaving the courtroom, a commotion erupted in a stairwell. Hudson County sheriff’s officers raced to the area to disperse individuals who remained on the floor.

According to the Hemingways’ attorneys, the two cousins have each been in prison for 4 years.

“It’s a long time to wait,” said Scott Finkenauer, Courtney Hemingway’s attorney. “Courtney obviously is extremely happy with the verdict.”

Finkenauer said the key to the acquittals was the jury’s lack of confidence in Jamonee Gantt, the prosecution’s key witness.

Gantt, also an alleged gang member, testified that he was waiting outside the housing complex when the Hemingways entered and opened fire. He said the two cousins bragged to each other about the shooting.

Authorities initially thought Gantt to be the shooter until he gave statements implicating the cousins.

“The jury rejected his testimony,” said Finkenauer.

The two cousins are not, however, completely in the clear. They will remain in prison and are scheduled to return to court on Feb. 11 on charges of gang criminality.